Vacuum filter having annular catch

ABSTRACT

A filter for a vacuum cleaner includes a top having an open center, a bottom plate having an outermost edge, a center, an inside surface facing towards the top, an outside surface facing away from the top, and a catch extending from the inside surface annularly around the center, filter material being secured between the top and bottom plate. An adaptor for a filter cage or the filter cage itself includes a radial retention ring that engages the catch of the filter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/037,853, filed Jul. 17, 2018, entitled “Vacuum Filter Having AnnularCatch”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This application relates generally to a filter for a vacuum cleaner and,more specifically, to a filter for a vacuum cleaner having a bottomplate with an annular catch extending around a center of the bottomplate. An adaptor for use with the filter, as well as a vacuum cleanerin which the filter is used, is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND

Tank-type vacuum cleaners routinely include a tank having a dirty airinlet and a motor housing comprising a motor and a clean air outlet. Inorder to clean the air as it travels between the dirty air inlet and theclean air outlet, a filter is provided between the dirty air inlet andthe clean air outlet. In some vacuums, a filter cage includes a floatvalve (such as a ball valve or a cup valve) and also serves as way tohold a filter in place as it extends into the bottom of the tank. Thefilter is usually secured around the filter cage. Improved methods ofsecuring the filter to the filter cage are desirable.

SUMMARY

According to some aspects of the disclosure, a filter comprises a tophaving an open center, a bottom plate having an outermost edge, acenter, an inside surface facing towards the top, and a catch extendingfrom the inside surface annularly around the center, filter materialbeing secured between the top and the bottom plate. According to otheraspects of the disclosure, an adaptor for a filter cage includes anannular surface having an outer circumference and an innercircumference, snaps distributed around the outer circumference of theannular surface, and a radial retention ring extending from the innercircumference of the annular surface. According to yet other aspects ofthe disclosure, a vacuum cleaner comprises a tank including a dirty airinlet, a motor housing comprising a motor, a filter cage having an end,and a clean air outlet, and a radial retention ring connected to the endof the filter cage. The catch of the filter and the radial retentionring of the adaptor or vacuum cleaner are configured to engage oneanother.

In some arrangements of the filter, the catch may extend from the insidesurface around the center continuously. In other arrangements, the catchmay extend from the inside surface around the center discontinuously.The bottom plate may include a locking ring between the outermost edgeand the center, wherein the catch extends toward the top from thelocking ring. The catch may have a mating face inclined in a firstdirection relative to the inside surface and an inclined end inclined ina second direction relative to the inside surface. The mating face is ata 45° angle relative to the inside surface.

In some arrangements, the filter may further comprise a handle hinged tothe outside surface of the plate. The handle may be located adjacent tothe center of the plate. The bottom plate may have a depressed centerarea at the center, and a center orifice may be provided in thedepressed center area. The locking ring may surround the depressedcenter area. A handle may be hinged to the locking ring. The handle mayhave a width less than or equal to an amount that the locking ring israised from the adjacent outside surface of the bottom plate, and thelocking ring may have an outer perimeter complementary to the shape ofthe handle.

The top of the filter may have an outer edge and a width between theouter edge and the open center, the bottom plate may have a raised ringextending inward from the outermost edge a distance equal to the widthof the top, and the filter material may be secured between the top andthe raised ring of the bottom plate. The bottom plate may furthercomprise a depressed ring adjacent to the raised ring and extendinginward from the raised ring, a locking ring may be adjacent to thedepressed ring, may be raised relative to the depressed ring, and mayextend inward from the depressed ring, and the catch may extend towardthe top from the locking ring.

In some arrangements of the adaptor, the radial retention ring may havea mating end inclined in a first direction relative to the annularsurface. The radial retention ring may have a sliding surface the meetsthe mating end at an angle. The radial retention ring may extendcontinuously around the entire inner circumference of the annularsurface.

In some arrangements of the vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner comprisesa filter surrounding the filter cage, the filter having a bottom platewith a catch that engages the radial retention ring. A mating face ofthe catch may engage a mating end of the radial retention ring. Thecatch may have inclined end, the radial retention ring may have asliding surface, and prior to engagement of the catch with the radialretention ring, the catch may flex via contact between the inclined endof the catch and the sliding surface of the radial retention ring. Insome arrangements, the radial retention ring is integral with the end ofthe filter cage. In other arrangements, the radial retention ring isprovided on an adapter connected to the end of the filter cage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom isometric view of a filter of the present disclosurehaving a discontinuous catch;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the filter depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the filter depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the filter depicted in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a top isometric view of the filter depicted FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is a top isometric cut-away view of the filter depicted in FIGS.1-5;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a filter of the present disclosure having acontinuous catch;

FIG. 8 is a top isometric cut-away view of the filter depicted in FIG.7;

FIG. 9 is a top isometric view of an adaptor of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the adaptor depicted in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the adaptor depicted in FIGS. 9-10;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the adaptor depicted in FIGS. 9-11;

FIG. 13 is a bottom isometric view of a lid of a vacuum cleaner with anadaptor being installed on an end of a filter cage of the motor housing;

FIG. 14 is a bottom isometric view of the motor housing depicted in FIG.10 with the adaptor secured to the end of the filter cage;

FIG. 15A is a bottom view of the lid depicted in FIG. 14 with theadaptor secured to the end of the filter cage;

FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of the filter cage and adaptordepicted in FIG. 15A along the line A-A;

FIG. 15C is an enlarged view of the filter cage and adaptor depicted inFIG. 15B showing the snaps and radial retention ring of the adaptor;

FIG. 16 is a bottom isometric view of a motor housing and filter cage ofthe present disclosure with a radial retention ring integrally formedwith the filter cage;

FIG. 17A is a bottom view of the lid depicted in FIG. 16 with the radialretention ring integrally formed with the filter cage;

FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view of the filter cage having anintegrally formed radial retention ring depicted in FIG. 17A along theline A-A;

FIG. 17C is an enlarged view of the filter cage and integrally formedradial retention ring depicted in FIG. 17B;

FIG. 18 is a bottom isometric view of a filter being installed on thefilter cage and adaptor of FIGS. 14-15C;

FIG. 19 is a bottom isometric view of the lid, adaptor, and filter ofFIG. 18 with the filter secured to the adaptor;

FIG. 20A is a bottom view of the lid, adaptor, and filter of FIGS. 18and 19 just prior to the filter being secured to the adaptor;

FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view of the lid, adaptor, and filter ofFIG. 20A along the line C-C;

FIG. 20C is an enlarged view of the filter cage, adaptor, and filterdepicted in FIGS. 19-20B showing the inclined end of the catch of thefilter sliding along the sliding surface of the radial retention ring ofthe adaptor just prior to securing the filter to the adaptor;

FIG. 21A is a bottom view of the lid, adaptor, and filter of FIGS.18-20C after the filter is secured to the adaptor;

FIG. 21B is a cross-sectional view of the lid, adaptor, and filter ofFIG. 21A along the line Cl-Cl;

FIG. 21C is an enlarged view of the filter cage, adaptor, and filterdepicted in FIGS. 14-16B showing the mating face of the catch engagedwith the mating end of the radial retention ring;

FIG. 22 is a top view of a vacuum cleaner incorporating the filter andadaptor of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 22 alongline D-D.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the exemplary arrangements of a filter 4 shown in FIGS.1-8, the filter 4 includes a top 6, a bottom plate 10, and filtermaterial 22 secured between the top 6 and the bottom plate 10. Thefilter 4 has a generally cylindrical shape. The bottom plate 10 may beformed from rubber, hard plastic, metal, or another suitable material.The top 6 can be formed of similar materials, but generally will need tohave some flexibility in order to provide good sealing engagement whenin place on a vacuum cleaner. The filter material 22 may include anystandard industrial filter material, such as a synthetic material,cloth, paper, or foam. The filter material 22 may employ a standardfiltration material, a HEPA filtration material, an S-class filtrationmaterial, or activated charcoal filtration, among other options.

The top 6 and the bottom plate 10 are generally aligned with oneanother. In the arrangements depicted in FIGS. 1-8, the top 6 and thebottom plate 10 are the same size. In other arrangements not hereindepicted, variations in the size and shape of the top 6 and the bottomplate 10 are permissible. For example, in some arrangements, the filter4 may have a partially conical shape instead of a cylindrical shape. Insuch an arrangement, the bottom plate 10 may be bigger than the top 6,and the filter material 22 may be arranged at an angle from the bottomplate 10 to the top 6. In other arrangements, the top 6 and the bottomplate 10 may be different sizes, but the filter material 22 may still bearranged vertically between the bottom plate 10 and the top 6 such thatthe larger of the bottom plate 10 and the top 6 have an overhang outsidethe connection to the filter material 22.

The top 6 includes an open center 8, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8. Thebottom plate 10 has an outermost edge 12 and a center 14. An insidesurface 16 of the bottom plate 10 faces toward the top 6, and an outsidesurface 18 of the bottom plate 10 faces away from the top 6. Catches 20extend away from the inside surface 16 annularly around the center 8. Asshown in FIG. 4, the catch 20 is visible through the open center 8 ofthe top 6.

The catch on the inside surface 16 may be a singular catch that extendsfrom the inside surface 16 around the center continuously as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. Alternately, the catch may be a plurality of catches 20,or put another way, may be a singular catch that extends from the insidesurface 16 around the center discontinuously, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6.The number of discontinuities 106, or spaces between catches 20, may bethree, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Alternately, the number ofdiscontinuities 106 may be only one or may be more than three, such asfive, ten, twenty, or fifty. The length of each discontinuity 106 may beuniform, may alternate in a pattern (a first distance, a seconddistance, then a first distance again, for example) or may vary with nodiscernible pattern. Each catch 20 may have a uniform width.Alternately, the width of each catch 20 may vary or may alternate in apattern (a first width, a second width, then a first width again, forexample). The length of each discontinuity 106 may be less than, equalto, or greater than the width of each catch 20.

Each catch 20 is designed to flex when contacted, and the dimensions ofthe catch 20 in conjunction with the material chosen for the catch 20should permit this flexing action. In some arrangements, the catch 20may be formed from a different material than the rest of the bottomplate 10 in order to facilitate the flexing action. For example, thecatch 20 may be formed from a material that bends more easily or retainsits shape better than the material used to form the bottom plate 10. Thecatch 20 may be formed integrally with the bottom plate 10. Alternately,the catch 20 may be a separate component connected or secured to thebottom plate 10. Means of securing the catch 20 to the bottom plate 10include adhesives, standard fasteners such as screws, ultrasonicwelding, and other fastening devices and techniques known in the art.

Each catch 20 extends toward the top 6 from the locking ring 26, as bestshown in FIGS. 6 and 8. As best shown in in FIGS. 20C and 21C, eachcatch 20 has a mating face 28 inclined in a first direction relative tothe inside surface 16 and an inclined end 30 inclined in a seconddirection relative to the inside surface 16. The mating face 28 is at a45° angle relative to the inside surface. In other arrangements, themating face 28 may be at angle that is greater than or less than 45°relative to the inside surface. Instead of being at an angle, the matingface 28 may have a curvature, hook, snap, aperture, or other means ofbeing secured in place.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a handle 24 is hinged to the locking ring 26of the bottom plate 10. The handle 24 is located adjacent to the center14 of the plate. The handle 24 may assist a user in more easily placingthe filter 4. The handle 24 can be stored during use of the vacuumcleaner 2. The handle 24 can also be used again to remove the filter 4when the time comes to replace the filter 4. The handle 24 isparticularly useful during removal of the filter 4 because the filtermaterial 22 may be covered with dust and debris, and a user maytherefore be disinclined to touch the filter material 22 during theremoval process.

The handle 24 is hinged to the locking ring 26. The hinged connectionmay be achieved using any typical hinge mechanism in combination with astandard fastener. A handle guide 80 may be provided near where thehandle 24 is hinged to the locking ring 26. The handle guide 80 maysecure the handle 24 against the locking ring 26 when the handle 24 isfolded toward the bottom plate 10. The handle guide 80 may help to guidethe handle 24 as the handle 24 is rotated to an upright position awayfrom the bottom plate 10. In some arrangements, the handle 24 maypartially or fully rest on the handle guide 80 when in a foldedposition.

The handle 24 has a width W_(H) that is less than or equal to a distanceD_(LR) that the locking ring 26 is raised from the adjacent outsidesurface 18 of the bottom plate 10. The locking ring 26 has an outerperimeter 34 that is complementary to the shape of the handle 24. As aresult, the handle 24 can be folded flat to lie beside the locking ring26 without protruding above the locking ring 26. In some arrangementsnot depicted, a securement mechanism such as a hook or a clip may beprovided to secure the handle 24 in the folded position. In somearrangements, the securement mechanism may be the handle guide 80. Inother arrangements, the handle 24 may have a friction fit against theouter perimeter 34 or via the hinged connection with the locking ring 26that keeps it in a folded position.

The handle 24 may have a shape that includes a handle arc 78 and ahandle protrusion 76. The handle arc 78 may curve from the location atwhich the handle 24 is hinged to the locking ring 26 to the protrusion76. The handle arc 78 may be nearly circular, nearly square, or anypreferred curvature. The protrusion 76 may have space for a brand nameor trademark to be displayed. The brand name or trademark may be paintedon the protrusion 76, may be embossed on the protrusion 76, or may bedisplayed in another manner. The protrusion 76 may be circular, square,or any other desired shape. The protrusion 76 may be centered in thehandle arc 78 such that the handle 24 is symmetrical.

The perimeter 34 is at least partially complementary to the shape of thehandle arc 78 and the protrusion 76 such that the handle 24 can folddown flat within the perimeter 34. In some embodiments, the perimeter 34is complementary to the shape of the handle 24 only in one direction,such that the handle 24 may only be folded flat against the locking ring26 one way. In other embodiments, the perimeter 34 is complementary tothe shape of the handle in two directions, such that the handle may befolded flat against the locking ring 26 in two ways. A slanted surface84 may be provided at the perimeter 34 so that, if the handle 24 bumpsagainst the perimeter 34, the slanted surface 84 will help guide thehandle 24 downward. The slanted surface 84 may be flat or curved.

The bottom plate 10 has a depressed center area 32 at the center 14. Aslanted surface 82 may be provided in the transition from the lockingring 26 to the depressed center area 32. A center orifice 114 may beprovided in the depressed center area 32, as shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and21C. The center orifice 114 may be formed by orifice walls 110, as shownin FIG. 21C. The orifice walls 110 may provide structural integrity tothe depressed center area 32. A user may feel confident that the filter4 has been sufficiently pressed on to the filter cage 66 when theorifice walls 110 prevent further movement of the filter 4 due tocontact between the orifice walls 110 and the round surface 104 of thefilter cage 66.

As shown in FIG. 4, the top 6 has an outer edge 36 and a width W_(T)between the outer edge 36 and the open center 8. An annular groove 72may be provided in the top 6, as shown in FIG. 4. The annular groove 72establishes different elevation levels for the filter media 22 to restupon during manufacturing. This ensures that the filter media 22 has asub-flush condition relative to at least some portions of the top 6. Asalso shown in FIG. 4, standoffs 74 may be provided in the top 6. Thestandoffs 74 position the cylindrical support cage 108 (shown in FIG.5), which may be formed from metal or another rigid material, at anelevation deliberately sub-flush relative to at least some portions ofthe top 6. The sub-flush condition avoids undesirable handling issuesfor the user and assures that the top 6 has optimum sealing potential.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 show the topography of the bottom plate 10. The bottomplate 10 has a raised ring 38 extending inward from the outermost edge12 of the bottom plate 10 a distance equal to the width W_(T) of thetop. The filter material 22 is secured between the top 6 and the raisedring 28 of the bottom plate 10. The bottom plate 10 has a depressed ring40 adjacent to the raised ring 38 and extending inward from the raisedring 38. A locking ring 26, from which the catches 20 may extend, isprovided between the outermost edge 12 and the center 14. Specifically,the locking ring 26 is adjacent to the depressed ring 40. The lockingring 26 is raised relative to the depressed ring 40 and extends inwardfrom the depressed ring 40.

The relative positioning of the raised ring 38, depressed ring 40,locking ring 26, and depressed center area 32, and whether all or someof them are present, may vary. For example, the raised ring 38 and thelocking ring 26 may be at the same relative height. Similarly, thedepressed ring 40 and the depressed center area 32 may be at the samerelative height. Alternately, the raised ring 38 may be higher than thelocking ring 26, or the locking ring 26 may be higher than the raisedring 38. Likewise, the depressed ring 40 may be higher than thedepressed center area 32, or the depressed center area 32 may be higherthan the depressed ring 40. In some arrangements, the best relativepositioning is determined by the configuration of the adaptor 42, thefilter cage 66, and/or the motor housing 62. The raised ring 38,depressed ring 40, and/or locking ring 26 may also have surfaces thatare slanted or sloped relative to horizontal or to one another.

As shown in FIG. 2, an annular groove 88 may be provided in the raisedring 38 of the bottom plate 10. The annular groove 88 establishesdifferent elevation levels for the filter media 22 to rest upon duringmanufacturing. This ensures that the filter media 22 has a sub-flushcondition relative to at least some portions of the bottom plate 10. Asalso shown in FIG. 2, standoffs 90 may be provided in the raised ring 38of the bottom plate 10. The standoffs 90 position the cylindricalsupport cage 108 (shown in FIG. 5), which may be formed from metal oranother rigid material, at an elevation deliberately sub-flush relativeto at least some portions of the bottom plate 10. The sub-flushcondition avoids undesirable handling issues for the user and assuresthat the bottom plate 10 has optimum sealing potential.

Referring now to the exemplary arrangement of an adaptor 42 shown inFIGS. 9-15C, the adaptor 42 has an annular surface 44 having an outercircumference 46 and an inner circumference 48. Snaps 50 are distributedaround the outer circumference 46 of the annular surface 44. A radialretention ring 52 extends from the inner circumference 48 of the annularsurface 44. The adaptor 42 may be formed from rubber, hard plastic,metal, or another suitable material. The radial retention ring 52 shouldbe formed from a material having the ability to flex while stillretaining its shape. In some arrangements, the radial retention ring 52may be formed from a material that differs from that used for the restof the adaptor 42. In other arrangements, the same material may be usedfor both the radial retention ring 52 and the rest of the adaptor 42.

As shown best in FIG. 15C, the snaps 50 secure the adaptor 42 onto afilter cage 66 of a vacuum cleaner 2. Each snap 50 has a verticalextension 94 that allows the snap to hang downward over the edge of afilter cage 66. Each snap 50 further includes a clip 96. The clip 96engages the filter cage 66. The clip 96 may include a cut-out section,such as the 90° cut-out section shown as part of the clip 96 in FIG.15C. Alternately, the clip may have a hook-like curvature or anothersuitable shape that allows engagement with the filter cage 66. Thenumber of snaps 50 distributed around the outer circumference 46 of theannular surface 44 may vary. In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 9-15C,twenty-five snaps 50 are equally distributed around the outercircumference 46. However, in other arrangements not herein depicted,the number of snaps 50 may be much lower, such as five or ten, or muchhigher, such as 50 or 100. In part, the number of snaps 50 may depend onthe radial distance that each snap 50 covers of the outer circumference46. Additionally, the number of snaps 50 may depend on the radialdistance between each snap 50. The snaps 50 do not have to be equallydistributed around the outer circumference 46. In some arrangements, twoor more snaps 50 may be clustered together and spaced radially fromanother cluster of two or more snaps 50.

In other arrangements not herein depicted, the adaptor 42 may beconnected to the filter cage 66 by means other than or in addition tothe snaps 50. For example, the annular surface 44 of the adaptor 42 maybe provided with an adhesive that can permanently or temporarily securethe adaptor to the filter cage 66. The adhesive might be provided on theannular surface 44 at the point of sale, and a user may simply remove anadhesive covering prior to securing the annular surface 44 to the filtercage 66. Alternately, the adhesive might be provided in a separatebottle or jar and then spread onto the annular surface 44, prior tosecuring the annular surface 44 to the filter cage 66. Optionally,adhesive may be provided even with an adaptor 42 that includes snaps 50.

As depicted in FIGS. 16-17C, the radial retention ring 52 may beintegrally formed with the filter cage 66. In such arrangements, theradial retention ring 52 extends from the round surface 104 of thefilter cage 66. Such a design is beneficial in that one fewer part isneeded, i.e., an adaptor 42 does not have to be connected to a filtercage 66 by snaps 50 or by any other means. The radial retention ring 52may be formed from the same material or a different material than isused to form the round surface 104 of the filter cage 66.

Regardless of whether the radial retention ring 52 is provided on anadaptor 42 or is integrally formed with the filter cage 66, the radialretention ring 52 has a mating end 54 inclined in a first directionrelative to the annular surface 44 and an sliding surface 56 that meetsthe mating end 54 at an angle. The radial retention ring 52 furtherincludes a vertical surface 92 that raises the sliding surface 56 andthe mating end 54 above the annular surface 44. The mating end 54 isdepicted in FIG. 15C as being at an angle of 45° relative to the annularsurface 44. In other arrangements, the mating end 54 may be at an anglegreater than 45° relative to the annular surface 44 or less than 45°relative to the annular surface 44. Instead of being at an angle, themating end 54 may have a curvature, hook, snap, aperture, or other meansof being secured in place.

The radial retention ring 52 extends continuously around the entireinner circumference 48 of the annular surface 44 as best shown in FIGS.9 and 16. In other arrangements not herein depicted, the radialretention ring 52 may extend discontinuously around the innercircumference 48 of the annular surface 44. In such arrangements, theradial retention ring 52 may have the discontinuous parts distributeduniformly or non-uniformly around the inner circumference 48.

FIGS. 22-23 show the filter 4 and adaptor 42 in use on a vacuum cleaner2. As shown in FIG. 23, the vacuum cleaner 2 includes a tank 58 having adirty air inlet 60, a motor housing 62, a motor 64, a filter cage 66having an end 68, and a clean air outlet 70. A radial retention ring 52is connected to the end 68 of the filter cage 66. A cup float 112 isprovided within the filter cage 66. The cup float 112 moves upwardwithin the filter cage 66 when water sucked into the vacuum 2 rises to ahigh enough level within the vacuum 2 to move the cup float 112. Ifenough water accumulates within the vacuum 2, the cup float 112 sealsthe vacuum 2 such that air can no longer flow through the vacuum 2. Thisis a safety feature that prevents water from being sucked into the motorhousing 52 and prevents normal operation of the vacuum 2.

The filter cage 66 has struts 100 that end at a round surface 104. Thefilter cage 66 could be formed of plastic, metal, or another suitablestructural material. The number of struts 100 may vary. In somearrangements, the struts 100 may extend vertically between the motorhousing 52 and the round surface 104. In other arrangements, the struts100 may be arranged at an angle, may be perforated or patterned, or mayhave any other structural configuration suitable to keeping the roundsurface 104 spaced away from the motor housing 52. The struts 100 may ormay not be uniformly distributed around the round surface 104.

Projections 98 extend from the round surface 104 of the filter cage 66.Gaps 102 are provided between projections 98. The projections 98 may beuniformly distributed around the round surface 104 of the filter cage66. Alternately, the projections 98 may be clustered in groups or may beseparated by gaps 102 of differing lengths. In some arrangements, thegaps 102 are provided directly above the struts 100.

In the arrangement depicted in FIG. 13, the snaps 50 of the adaptor 42are configured to engage the projections 98 of the filter cage 66.However, in other arrangements not herein depicted, the snaps 50 may beconfigured to engage the gaps 102 of the filter cage 66. In such anarrangement, the snaps 50 would be intentionally distributed on theadaptor 42 to align with the gaps 102 of the filter cage 66. The outercircumference 46 of the annular surface 44 of the adaptor 42 would besmaller than the round surface 104 of the filter cage 66.

As shown in FIG. 18, the filter cage 66 and, if present, adaptor 42, areinserted into the filter 4 so that the filter 4 surrounds the filtercage 66. As shown in FIG. 20C, prior to engagement of the catch 20 ofthe filter 4 with the radial retention ring 52 of the adaptor 42 orfilter cage 66, the catch 20 flexes via contact between the inclined end30 of the catch 20 and the sliding surface 56 of the radial retentionring 52. The flexing of the catch 20 allows the catch 20 to move pastthe radial retention ring 52 as the filter 4 is pressed onto the filtercage 66.

Once the catch 20 is past the radial retention ring 52, as shown in FIG.21C, the catch 20 engages the radial retention ring 52. The mating face28 of the catch 20 engages the mating end 54 of the radial retentionring 52. As shown here, the mating face 28 and the mating end 54 arecomplementary 45° angles. However, the mating face 28 and the mating end54 may be connected via other complementary angles. Alternately, themating face 28 and the mating end 54 may be connected via complementarycurvatures, a hook and aperture, a snap, or another means. However, themating face 28 and the mating end 54 should be optimally designed to beeasily disconnected. The filter 4 may need to be removed and replaced.Therefore, the mating face 28 and the mating end 54 should allow reversemovement whereby the catch 20 is again flexed to allow the catch 20 tomove past the radial retention ring 54 in the opposite direction.

One benefit of the annular design of the catch 20 and radial retentionring 52 is that the filter 4 can be pressed on to the filter cage 66and/or adaptor 42 in any radial position without requiring certainelements to be carefully aligned. Another benefit is that the filter 4is fully sealed once placed upon the filter cage. That is, there are noholes in the bottom plate 10 that dust or debris might enter. Yetanother benefit is that the filter can be placed and removed merely bypushing and pulling, during which the user may hold the handle 24. Theuser therefore does not have to adjust any connection mechanisms or riskgetting dirt or debris on his or her hands while removing a dirtyfilter.

1-18. (canceled)
 19. A vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner comprising: atank including a dirty air inlet; a motor housing comprising a motor, afilter cage having an end, and a clean air outlet; and a radialretention ring connected to the end of the filter cage.
 20. The vacuumcleaner of claim 19, further comprising a filter surrounding the filtercage, the filter having a bottom plate with a catch that engages theradial retention ring.
 21. The vacuum cleaner of claim 20, wherein amating face of the catch engages a mating end of the radial retentionring.
 22. The vacuum cleaner of claim 21, wherein the catch has aninclined end; wherein the radial retention ring has an sliding surface;and wherein, prior to engagement of the catch with the radial retentionring, the catch flexes via contact between the inclined end of the catchand the sliding surface of the radial retention ring.
 23. The vacuumcleaner of claim 19, wherein the radial retention ring is integral withthe end of the filter cage.
 24. The vacuum cleaner of claim 19, whereinthe radial retention ring is provided on an adapter connected to the endof the filter cage.